Pearl Boy is a completed manhwa at ninety chapters across three seasons. It is written by Zoy and Inking where illustrations are done by Inking. Released in 2020, it has been published by Lezhin. Since January 6, 2021 the manhwa has been published digitally in English by Lezhin Comics. Season one consists of chapters one to twenty nine. Season 2 covers chapters thirty to fifty. Season 3 covers chapter fifty-one to ninety. The manhwa was completed on July 8th, 2023. There is a spin-off story, Pearl Boy: Ignition which began in 2025.
Synopsis[]
Dooshik is running out of options. After making off with the takings from the gay bar where he worked, he finds himself hiding out in a quiet coastal town. With his funds dwindling and hunger gnawing at him, survival takes priority—so he dives into a local clam house to satisfy his cravings. Only problem? He can’t pay, leaving the charming server, Jooha, to cover the bill.
When Dooshik returns to make amends, he’s met with a scene that’s far more than he bargained for—a tantalizing hint that Jooha’s exquisite shell hides a secret treasure, one only he might be able to uncover.
A risqué tale of desire, temptation, and the unexpected ways fortune—and pleasure—can be found.
Manhwa Seasons[]
- Season 1: 1-29 (29 chapters)
- Season 2: 30-50 (21 chapters)
- Season 3: 51-90 (40 chapters)
- Epilogue & Review
- Side Stories (1-20)
Characters[]
Kang Dooshik[]
Prior appearance
At 24 Dooshik was a former gay bar server. At the seafront he observes a couple and wonders what are they so happy about. Checking his phone to see a balance of 27 Won, Dooshik despairs how he is so broke and thinks whether he has to sleep on the streets tonight. Having contacted many people and was angered why they could betray him by ignoring his calls. As Dooshik thinks he was so good to them it is recalled that he advised someone the secret to winning fights is to catch them off guard, to flipping a table and encouraging someone to head to one more bar. Dooshik does reflect on whether he can really blame them. He is stunned at being turned down by a man he thought would be easy as he thinks of himself as supremo of the Gangnam red-light district. Although part time work is available Dooshik deems the pay too low and means to leave the restaurant he has ordered from when no one is looking. He wonders why Jooha did not suggest he needed to pay with his body right away, it is what he does best.
Jin Jooha[]
Upon feeling aroused, he releases many pearls. Three months earlier he worked in a seafood restaurant owned by him and his mother. Aware that Dooshik had entered the Jooha heeds his co-worker's guidance to keep an eye on him. After serving him Jooha is ready to ask if Dooshik enjoyed his meal after attempting to leave without paying but finds the doors locked. Guessing that Dooshik is unable to pay rather than call the police Jooha says Dooshik is going to have to pay for it with his body. Stunned at Dooshik directing Jooha's own hand to his crotch what Jooha meant is that Dooshik should at least do the dishes to pay for his meal.
The Man who Dooshik Approaches[]
This unnamed man was approached by Dooshik before the beach and he questioned whether Dooshik was a prostitute at having himself touched. A second direct hit on Dooshik is him guessing that he is a hustler with no place to go. Walking away this man stated that Dooshik looked pretty tasty and all but he has something even more delicious on the menu tonight then advises him to try his luck elsewhere. His idea of a tastier dish is a seafood restaurant with many other guys but if he noticed that Dooshik was there as well he did not interact with him.
Lee Choonbae/Lee Hosung[]
Under Hosung in Kang's phone a message is sent to inform him that the money that was borrowed last time has been wired. Choonbae apologizes that it took so long then adds that Madam Hyung is looking all over for Kang.
Choi Pilwon[]
The boss of the association that Jooha was made to work at. He and others have used the pearls he forms for their advantage. Pilwon was the boyfriend of Jooha's mother, but he always loved the boy. For this reason, when Jooha's mother passed away he blackmailed Jooha. When he discovered that Jooha can produce pearls he loses his mind and organized sex parties where Jooha was submitted to many old men in order to produce a lot of pearls. Pilwon was later killed by Jooha.
Koh Daehwi/Koh Daishi[]
Was sold to Japanese Yakuza at the age of 5. Desperate for money, he had little option but to work for Pilwon. Enjoys watching dramas, cherries, milk, and his twin brother (romantically). Dislikes loyalty and confucianism.
Koh Daekwang/Koh Hikaru[]
Was sold to Japanese Yakuza at the age of 5. Desperate for money, he accepted to work for Pilwon. Enjoys watching documentaries, podcasts, online poker and chess, rich people/money, hot springs, pork. Dislikes the past and whining.
Story[]
Kang Dooshik and Jooha are in bed. Three months earlier Dooshik was considering his situation. Calls to people from Korea such as Kwak Joohyuk, Jubilleess Madam and Bong-geun had gone unanswered. Approaching who he sees as an easy mark but getting turned down, in Kang's hunger he heads to order some grilled clams with a bottle of soju. Noticing that the patrons of the restaurant are all men Dooshik also sees the guy he met earlier. His server advises Jooha that there is something fishy about Dooshik. With everyone having left Dooshik attempts to sneak out. Jooha is there to remind him that would be 65,000 Won. With Dooshik having no money Jooha says there is only one way for him to pay.[1]
After hooking up, Dooshik later begins working at the restaurant without knowing the situation between Pilwon and Jooha. Jooha and Dooshik later begin dating, and Dooshik finds out what Pilwon, Daehwi, Daekwang, and others have been doing to Jooha. Jooha and Dooshik move to Seoul and Dooshik becomes a gangster with Shin Jaeil and Baek Seunghyun (among others) to try to gain information about Pilwon.
One day, Dooshik comes home late at night with flowers to see that Jooha is not there. Dooshik finds a note on the table stating that Jooha had left Seoul to live in his hometown again, and Dooshik becomes very upset. Jooha lives unhealthily in a small, messy home for a short time period, since Dooshik finds him quickly. Jooha and Dooshik get on a boat to go back to Seoul. When they arrive, Dooshik takes Jooha to an expensive apartment, and Jooha is very impressed.
A few months later, Dooshik kidnaps Daekwang and tortures him in front of Daehwi as revenge for the bad things they did to Jooha. Back at home, Jooha gets a call and picks up. He hears what Dooshik is doing to Daekwang, and he panics. Dooshik later arrives home drunk, noticing that Jooha looks very out of it. Jooha asks what happens, but Dooshik doesn't respond. Jooha goes to the bathroom to puke and Dooshik follows. Jooha then gets angry and yells at Dooshik before they argue about what had happened and their living situation, but Jooha forgives him in the end.
Dooshik and Daehwi make a deal that if Daehwi confesses to recording illegal porn videos, he will never harm Daekwang again. Daehwi then records a Youtube video stating the illegal activity and how he was hired by Pilwon three years ago to do so, and it goes viral. Pilwon finds out about the video and panics. After that, Pilwon kidnaps Jooha and locks him to a bed in a discrete house.
Arriving later, Dooshik attempts to free Jooha, but Pilwon finds out before he is able to. Pilwon and Dooshik fight while Jooha tries breaking the chains. Jooha frees himself to see Pilwon pointing a gun at Dooshik on the balcony. Jooha then gets an idea, and he jumps off of the balcony and cliff with Pilwon so that Pilwon will die. Dooshik jumps with Jooha afterwards. They then fall into the ocean, before later waking up at seashore.
Daehwi arrives and says that Pilwon had died, and Dooshik is very relieved. He goes to tell Jooha about the news, but Jooha doesn't wake up. Dooshik sends Jooha to the hospital, and he goes into a coma for a long time. When Jooha wakes up, he does not remember anything besides his life working at a seafood restaurant with his mother many years ago. Dooshik explains the situation, and Jooha becomes sad.
Jooha and Dooshik live happily for a year without Jooha's memories. They then go to see the blue moon with their two cats. Jooha falls into the water and regains his memories. Jooha and Dooshik argue about what had happened before Jooha lost his memories, and they live happily after that. As of late 2024 and early 2025, they are in Italy for Jiwon (Dooshik's sister) and Jaeil's wedding that neither of them are too pleased about.[2]
Images[]
References[]
Pearl Boy Wiki[]
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